Bakersfield Condors comeback to defeat Kalamazoo Wings

KALAMAZOO – Despite posting a season-high 50 shots on net, the Kalamazoo Wings (19-19-4-1) squandered a two-goal third period lead, as the Bakersfield Condors (13-29-2-2) come-from-behind to the K-Wings 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Wings Stadium.

Fueled by a season-high for shots in a single period (22) in the first period, the K-Wings jumped ahead 4:17 into the game with a goal from Nick Sirota. The goal for Sirota was his team-leading 15th of the season.

Nick Sirota

Keeping the Condors in the game was Brian Stewart, as netminder turned aside 20 shots in the period, include six sprawling saves from point blank range.

While Stewart kept Kalamazoo at bay for a majority of the period, the netminder couldn’t stop Brett Lysak’s (12th) one-timer from the slot with 57.6 remaining in the period. Lysak’s goal was his 400th point of his career.

A combined 38 shots on net in the second period, but it didn’t translate to any goals. Bakersfield outshot Kalamazoo 21-17 in the period.

Similar to the night before, the K-Wings opponents would erase a two-goal third period deficit. Bakersfield started the comeback 5:57 into the third period with a goal from Peter Boyd (14th). Boyd’s goal extended his point streak to eight games, while pushing his goal streak to five straight games.

With their goaltender pulled, Francis Verreault (12th) found room between the circles and fired the puck over the blocker shoulder Joel Martin with 1:15 remaining in regulation to force overtime.

Boyd gave the Condors their first overtime (1-2) win of the season deflecting an Erik Burgoerfer shot 4:30 into the extra session.

Stewart was huge between the pipes stopping 48 shots in the victory, while Martin was equal to the task turning aside 45 in the overtime loss. Martin has now stopped 130 shots in his last three home starts.

The K-Wings will remain home on Wednesday, January 30th with a 7 p.m. face-off versus the Fort Wayne Komets on Salute to Red Solo Cup Night, featuring a Toby Keith impersonator, presented by WNWN.

Single-game tickets for the 2012-2013 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are $13 and $17.50 for adults and only $7 for kids ages 14 and under. The price for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year’s Eve game) are just $1 more.

Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single-game tickets in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $2 (adults only).